Activism has always played an important role in Darren Miller’s life.

“I express my activism in everyday life, in the way I try to live and be,” says Darren, (Master of Fine Arts '07). “It’s about being aware of things and making other people aware as well.”

Until recently, Darren kept his activism separate from his work as an artist and photographer. As a graduate student, though, he says he’s seen the two separate aspects of his life come together.

“I think about my work now as agit-prop, but at the same time it’s fun,” notes Darren. “My photographs use symbols to symbolize various things about sexuality, gender, rural life, and so on. Different images take on different kinds of symbols and meaning.”

At the Museum School, Darren has experimented with printmaking, bookmaking, and video in addition to photography. And his photographs have taken on an element of performance art: “The photos have become more about me performing different roles for the camera,” he says. “So now I’m investigating performance art too.

“The Museum School is open to the idea of trying something new and seeing where that leads you,” Darren adds, “rather than having a set formula before you even get started.”